Business/Economy

Evangel University says it will lay off 12 staff members at the Springfield school, as part of 25 position reductions effective next year. KSMU’s Scott Harvey reports.

Evangel says budget reductions were required to address “operational deficiencies and some job redundancies,” noting the issues became evident upon consolidating with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and Central Bible College.

Evangel Spokesman Paul Logsdon says that upon consolidation, all faculty were guaranteed positions through April 2014.

Upon finalizing the 2014 budget Friday, Greene County officials say they’ve managed to avoid cutting nearly 20 jobs that were originally on the chopping block. However, eight will be eliminated as part of $1.1 million in budget reductions. KSMU’s Scott Harvey has more.

Greene County Commissioner Harold Bengsch says they were able to preserve some essential positions by moving them into other areas, including the recent law enforcement sales tax fund.

A boost more than four years ago to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), otherwise known as food stamps, ran out Friday. What impact will it have on poor families in the Ozarks? KSMU’s Scott Harvey explains.

The increase to the program in 2009 came as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. But now that those additional funds have expired, the average family of three will have about $30 less to buy food each month, according to Center on Budget and Policy.

Local agencies are feeling the pinch after Congress failed to reach a midnight deadline for a stop-gap spending bill, preventing an estimated 800,000 federal employees from working. KSMU’s Theresa Bettmann reports on who is and isn’t open for business.